Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo urged North Korea Sunday to come forward for talks, saying all pending issues can be resolved through dialogue.

North Korea has spurned the South's proposals for government-level talks amid tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea has instead demanded the resumption of a joint tour program to its scenic Mount Kumgang, which was suspended in 2008 following the shooting death of a female South Korean tourist there.

"What we're saying is that we should find a way to resume the Mount Kumgang tours by meeting and holding dialogue," Hong said during an interview with state broadcaster KBS.

The minister stressed that Seoul needs a guarantee from Pyongyang that it will ensure the safety of South Korean tourists.

"The two Koreas should meet and resolve various pending issues, be it through high-level contact or working-level talks," he said.

Hong also pledged to do his best to arrange another reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, saying it is "an important and urgent" humanitarian issue.

On next month's visit to Pyongyang by former first lady Lee Hee-ho, he expressed caution about sending her as a special envoy of the government, saying the visit will be private. (Yonhap)